Backing up a large volume of new data can take time if a user's internet connection is slow. For such cases, DataShield users have the seed loading option. It works both for initial and non-initial backups on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Note: Online Backup (DataShield) is a legacy product only available to older Atera accounts. For newer backup solutions, see Atera App Center
Get seeding path
Note: The removable storage device should operate on a standard file system. A non-standard file system such as HFS can make seeding data unreadable (you'll get a warning if this is the case). Recommended file systems for USB drives:
- Windows: exFAT, NTFS
- Mac: exFAT
- Linux: exFAT, NTFS
1. Connect a flash drive (or any other removable storage device) to the computer that has data for seeding (or that has access to a network resource with such data).
2. Copy the full path to the root of the storage device or a directory on it. This will be the seeding path in the Online Backup Client.
Note: Windows users should copy the path from Windows Explorer (e.g., F:\, or F:\Febr-2014).
Run seeding
After copying the seeding path, start the Online Backup Client and initiate the seeding process.
Note: It's possible to perform a seed loading backup to a network share instead of the flash drive. See Seed loading to network drives
1. Go to Preferences > Seeding.
2. Paste the seeding path in the Seeding path field. Then click Enable seeding.
3. Click Backup > Run seeding.
Note: When completed, click Run seeding again to back up more data (if necessary).
4. When all necessary data has been backed up, click Complete seeding on the yellow notification bar.
A new folder on the storage device (located in the directory specified in Preferences > Seeding). This is the seeding folder. It has the same name as the Online backup client on which seeding has been done (for example "dg224hs-0091-73hjs-13lnre87").
Transfer seeding folder to storage
Transfer the offline files created by seeding to storage. While the data is being transferred, the online backup client remains functional, allowing you to continue backing up data to the cloud or a local directory. However, please note that data recovery options are temporarily limited during this process.
1. Connect the storage device to a Windows computer with a high-speed Internet connection.
2. Download and unpack a server utility package for your system:
3. Open Command Prompt and run the following command:
ServerTool.exe seeds.upload -path <path_to_seed_load_folder> -threadscount <number_of_threads>
(e.g., ServerTool.exe seeds.upload -path F:\Febr-2014\dg224hs-0091-73hjs-13lnre87 -threadscount 3)
After the upload is completed and the data is processed on the server, the Online Backup Client will exit seeding mode. The data transferred to storage using the seed loading feature will soon become available for recovery.
Seed loading to network drives
The Online Backup Client typically uses the Local System account, which may not have network access. Therefore, you need to switch to another account using the Services Console.
Note: To perform seed loading backups to network drives, ensure:
- The network drive is openly available without authorization.
- One of its user accounts matches an account on your computer (same username and password).
1. Open the Start menu.
2. Search for "services.msc".
3. From the Services Console, right-click DataShield Backup Controller. Then select Properties > Log On.
4. Select the This account option and enter the credentials for an account that has access to the network resource. This can be an account from the Administrators group or an account that exists both on your computer and on the target network resource.
5. From the Services Console, right-click the DataShield Backup Controller. Then select Restart.
